McClain’s guide to the game against the Ravens

Share this:

1. Are you worried the Texans’ performance the last two weeks is more in line with who they really are, or are you confident they’ll bounce back and play the way they did in their first four games? I’m not real confident in anything right now, but the fact is the Texans weren’t as good in their 23-17 victory at the Jets, and they were horrible in the 42-24 loss to Green Bay. But they are 5-1, and that’s what is most important. If they play the way they’re capable of and take advantage of the Ravens’ injuries and defections on defense, the Texans should be able to beat Baltimore for the first time. Think about what kind of opportunity this is. If they win, they’ll be 6-1 going into their open date. They host Buffalo the week after. They should beat the Bills in Mario Williams’ homecoming. That would make them 7-1 at the midway point of the season. Barring catastrophic injuries, this is a 12-4 team.

2. In two losses to Baltimore last season, the Texans scored 14 points with Matt Schaub and 13 with T.J. Yates at quarterback. Will they take advantage of the Ravens missing so many defensive starters? I never thought I’d be writing this, but the Ravens are 26th in defense, including 26th against the run. But they’re 11th in scoring defense (19.6 points a game), and they’re allowing only 3.8 yards a carry. And they won’t be playing against these five starters from a year ago: inside linebacker Ray Lewis, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, outside linebacker Jarret Johnson, defensive end Cory Redding and cornerback Lardarius Webb. Lewis and Webb are injured, and Suggs, who was actived from the PUP list Saturday, is doubtful. Johnson and Redding left as free agents. Plus, nose tackle Haloti Ngata (knee) and free safety Ed Reed (shoulder) are playing hurt. I think the Texans will take advantage of the Ravens missing so many defensive starters who played key roles in both victories last season.

3. Is receiver Andre Johnson injured? If not, why does he have only 25 catches and two touchdowns? Coach Gary Kubiak said it’s because of several reasons. When they don’t run more consistently, the bootleg passing game doesn’t work as well. One of Johnson’s favorite routes is a crossing route on the boot or a deep
route off the boot. Kubiak says opponents are keeping a safety over the top on Johnson to shut him down. Johnson says the Texans are running so much he has fewer opportunities. Well, Johnson has beaten double coverage in the past. They are running more than they’re throwing, but it’s obvious Johnson isn’t as explosive as he used to be. He practices every day unless Kubiak gives him and other veterans a day off. If he were injured, as he has been in the past, Johnson wouldn’t be practicing. He needs a breakout game. They must find a way to get him the ball.

4. Arian Foster is second in the league in rushing, but he’s averaging only 3.8 yards a carry. Why is his average down? Foster is indeed second with 561 yards rushing. His 3.8-yard average per carry is the lowest among the NFL’s top 15 rushers. One reason is because he has broken only one long run, a 46-yarder. To get an average up, a back needs some long runs. Because the Texans have led by at least 14 points in five of their six games, Foster gets a lot of carries in the second half when defenses know the Texans are running to eat up the clock, and they’re loading up to stop him. Also, the right side of the line hasn’t done as good a job as last year, when Eric Winston and Mike Brisiel were terrific run blockers.

5. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has a 4-0 record against the Texans. Will he torch the defensive backs like Aaron Rodgers, or will they finally defeat him? First of all, I don’t think any quarterback will torch the Texans like Rodgers, who threw six touchdown passes. Flacco is having his best season running their no-huddle offense, but he still has only eight touchdown passes — the same number as Matt Schaub. Flacco’s 8.09-yard average per attempt shows he’s throwing the ball down the field. He will take his shots against the Texans because they’ve been beaten down the field in the last two games. I still think the Texans will beat Flacco for the first time. Even though he has played well against them, for the most part, he has been the beneficiary of an outstanding defense and a terrific running game with Ray Rice.

Texans players to watch

Kareem Jackson
Cornerback
Jackson is having his best season. He gave up a touchdown against the Packers, but he had excellent coverage. He’s playing more confidently. Jackson is likely to cover Anquan Boldin, who leads the Ravens with 28 catches for 429 yards. Owen Daniels
Tight end
Daniels has become Matt Schaub’s favorite target. He has a team-leading 26 catches and three TDs. The Ravens will have to use a safety if they want to have man coverage. They don’t have a linebacker who can stick with him.

Ravens players to watch

Ray Rice
Running back
He’s a big part of their offense because he runs and catches. When Rice follows fullback Vonta Leach between the tackles, he’s difficult to bring down. The Texans don’t have a linebacker who can cover Rice with Brian Cushing out. Bernard Pollard
Strong safety
The ex-Texan is playing well in his second season with the Ravens. He’s physical and powerful and plays the run well. He’s second on the defense with 43 tackles. The Texans should try to take advantage of Pollard when he’s in coverage.